In an attempt to deliver value to the people, the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has unveiled  a five-year strategic plan 2026–2031 to focus on the completion of outstanding projects, and sustain ecosystems and safeguarding the gains of the Ogoni Cleanup Programme.

The Minister of Environment and Chairman of the HYPREP Governing Council, Balarabe Lawal, asserted this during activities marking the 10th anniversary of the Ogoni Cleanup in Rivers State, saying the new strategic plan would provide a clear roadmap for the next phase of the Government’s intervention in Ogoniland.

Lawal stated, “The plan will focus on completion of outstanding interventions, sustaining restored ecosystems, preventing re-pollution and strengthening community ownership of completed projects.”

According to him, the strategy would also ensure that HYPREP continued to deliver measurable and lasting value to the people of Ogoniland, and stressed the need to strengthen the project’s  sustainability and post-remediation management framework.

The Minister declared:the framework would be integrated into the new strategic plan to ensure that investments made by the Federal Government and its foreign partners remained protected and continued to benefit affected communities.

Against the backdrop of the 10th anniversary of the cleanup programme, he argued, the milestone will provide an opportunity to assess achievements, identify outstanding challenges and establish a clear direction for the next phase of the intervention.

He therefore reiterated that the Federal Government’s objectives in Ogoniland remained centred on two key priorities: restoring the degraded environment and restoring the livelihoods and wellbeing of the people.

The Minister further explained that the  Presidency will remain committed to implementing the recommendations of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP),noting that the elevation of HYPREP to a national priority since 2023 had accelerated remediation and livelihood restoration activities across Ogoniland.

“The announcement of the new strategic plan came as HYPREP flagged off the second phase of shoreline cleanup and mangrove restoration at Patrick Waterside, Bodo City, Gokana Local Government Area of Rivers State.”

Lawal also unveiled the remodelled Ogoni Cleanup Plaque at the historic site, describing it as a permanent reminder of the Nigerian Government’s commitment to the people of Ogoni.

The minister stressed that its return to the site after 10 years reaffirmed the government’s determination to fulfil its promise to restore the degraded environment.

Also,the HYPREP Project Coordinator, Prof. Nenibarini Zabbey, said the 1,420 certified community workers were beneficiaries of the project’s livelihood and capacity-building interventions.

He explained that their interventions had contributed to the creation of more than 8,500 direct jobs for Ogoni youths and women, saying the second phase of shoreline and mangrove restoration would deepen efforts to rehabilitate degraded coastal ecosystems in the area.

While adding that HYPREP was beginning to observe encouraging signs of ecological recovery, including the gradual return of fish and other aquatic species to restored areas, and appealed to shoreline communities to avoid indiscriminate mangrove cutting and overharvesting.

 The HYPREP coordinator believed that the designation of the Ogoni Mangrove Wetland as a Ramsar Site of International Importance in March 2026 would further underscore the need for communities to protect the restored ecosystem.

He therefore explained that the international designation recognised the ecological importance of the wetland and strengthened the need for its sustainable management, warning that uncontrolled exploitation could undermine the ecological gains already being recorded in the affected areas.

“We would continue to sensitise communities on responsible resource use and the importance of protecting the ecological character of the Ogoni Mangrove Wetland, adding, the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration at Wiiyaakara, Khana LGC to support research, training, partnerships and knowledge development in environmental restoration.”

He hinted that the implementation had witnessed significant acceleration since 2023, following the elevation of the project to a national priority under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

Zabbey listed areas of progress to include environmental remediation, mangrove restoration, potable water provision, healthcare, livelihood restoration, infrastructure development, peace-building, security, transparency and accountability.

Certificates recognising the Ogoni Wetlands as a Ramsar Site of International Importance were also handed over to the chairmen of the four Ogoni local government areas as custodians of the people.

The anniversary activities featured the presentation of International Maritime Organisation (IMO) and swimming certificates to 1,420 community workers.